Main
Ifeoma Ozodiegwu
I have published scientific papers that generate insights about global health from complex surveys, supported national malaria programs to apply quantitative methods to inform strategic planning, and developed analysis pipelines to make it easy to visualise and generate estimates from the Demographic and Health Surveys.
Selected Positions
Postdoctoral Fellow
Malaria Modeling Research Group (Gerardin’s Lab)
Northwestern University
present - 2019
- Lead survey data analysis and simulation modeling on a $3 million grant to identify optimal intervention packages for malaria control and elimination in various transmission settings.
- Respond to analysis requests from clients such as the World Health Organization and policy-makers in endemic countries
- Communicate research methods, results and recommendations to clients to inform national strategic planning, and at national and international conferences
Consultant
Dept of Science, Information and Dissemination
World Health Organization
2020
- Supported development of the annual regional health indicators report for the Regional Office for the Eastern Medditerranean
- Led data visualization of these indicators for the report, interfacing with the graphics team to ensure timely production of report
Graduate Student Researcher
Dept of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
East Tenessee State University
2019 - 2015
- Co-authored research papers on metabolic syndrome, obesity and adverse childhood experiences
- Mentored masters-level researchers
- Teaching assistant for several biostatistics and epidemiology courses
Lead Consultant
Data Analysis and Evaluation
Community Innovation Center
2015 - 2014
- Founded a consultancy company to support program planning, data analysis and evaluation
- Led a needs assessment to support restructuring of the National Neglected Tropical Diseases Monitoring and Evaluation Systems (client: RTI International)
- Supported strengthening of data collection and analysis to understand the distribution and purchasing practices for malaria chemotherapy (client: Society for Family Health)
Global Health Fellow
Research and Communications
Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia
2014 - 2013
- Designed a data collection and analysis platform for an NIH-funded Rotavirus study
- Worked with the communications department to develop CIDRZ annual report
Education
DrPH, Epidemiology
Dept of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
East Tenessee State University
2019 - 2015
- Dissertation: The prevalence and context of Adult Female Overweight and Obesity in sub-Saharan Africa
- Recipient of a Rotary International Global Grant
MPH, Health Services Administration
Health Services Management and Policy
East Tenessee State University
2012 - 2010
- Supported evaluation of national tobacco policies during internship with the World Health Organization
- Recipient of the Frist Global Health Leader Award
Selected Talks & Publications
“I am passionate about data-driven decision-making. In many resource-poor settings, primary data is not readily available. My expertise lies in applying quantitative methods to make the best decisions with secondary data.”
Application of Mathematical Models to inform National Strategic Planning in Nigeria
6th Future of Malaria Research Symposium
N/A
2020
- Presentation of project performed at the Gerardin Lab
Urban-rural Determinants of Malaria Transmission Intensity, Insecticide Treated Net Access and Use in Nigeria
Lightning Talk at the Northwestern Institute of Complex Systems
N/A
2020
- Presentation of ongoing project at the Gerardin Lab with mentee, Chilochibi Chiziba
Is the Positive Association of Middle Income and Rich Household Wealth on Adult Sub-Saharan African Womens Overweight Status Modified by the Level of Education Attainment? A Cross-sectional Study of 22 countries
BMC Public Health
N/A
2020
- Authored with Quinn M, Mercer LD, Omoike EO, Mamudu HM
Country-Level Analysis of the Association between Maternal Obesity with Neonatal Mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross- Sectional Study of Demographic and Health Surveys from 34 Countries
Annals of Global Health
N/A
2019
- Authored with Mamudu HM, Wang L, Wallace R, Quinn M, Liu Y, Doctor HV
A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis of Contextual Factors Contributing to Female Overweight and Obesity over the Life Course in Sub-Saharan Africa
PLoS One
N/A
2019
- Authored with Littleton MA, Nwabueze C, Famojuro O, Quinn M, Wallace R, Mamudu HM
An Association of Health Behaviors with Depression and Metabolic Risks: Data from 2007 to 2014 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Journal of Affective Disorders
N/A
2017
- Authored with Liu Y, Yu Y, Hess R, Bie R
Selected Press (About)
Time to act on malnutrition in all its forms in West Africa
Transform Nutrition West Africa
N/A
2020
- My qualitative evidence synthesis was one of four works highlighted on this Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded knowledge mobilization platform
- I was asked to give direct comment on my findings to guide research and policy action